LET US WITH A GLADSOME MIND

Amazing Grace

John Milton, 1608–1674

Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good. His love [mercy] endures forever. (Psalm 136:1)

A thankful heart is not only the greatest virtue, but the parent of all other virtues. —Cicero

A gladsome, joyous mind is the product of a grateful, praising heart. Gratefulness is the opposite of selfishness. The selfish person is boastful of his accomplishments. The grateful Christian, however, realizes that all achievements and blessings come only from God’s bountiful hand. This realization results in a life of praise. Far too often our prayer life consists only of a series of personal requests. God wants our requests, but He also desires to hear our praise for His eternal kindness and love in response to our daily needs. This hymn text of praise was written by John Milton in 1621 when he was only 15 years of age. It was based on verses 1, 2, 7, and 23 of Psalm 136, a psalm that refrains each of its 26 verses with the reminder that God’s love/mercy/kindness endure forever. This hymn is one of 19 poetic versions of various psalms written by Milton. Today, however, John Milton is best remembered as the brilliant, blind English poet who wrote the classic masterpieces, Paradise Lost and Paradise Regained. He is also credited with having much influence on the later hymn writings of Isaac Watts (“the father of English hymnody”) and Charles Wesley (author of 6,500 hymn texts).

Let us with a gladsome mind praise the Lord, for He is kind: For His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us blaze His name abroad; for of gods He is the God: For His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
He with all-commanding might filled the new-made world with light: For His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
All things living He doth feed; His full hand supplies their need: For His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.
Let us then with gladsome mind praise the Lord, for He is kind: For His mercies shall endure, ever faithful, ever sure.

For Today: Psalm 63:1–5; 103:2; 136; 145:9; James 1:17

It is always inspiring to read about the work of God in the life of a Bible character or some great leader in history. But it is even more profitable for us to recount the mercies of God in our own past life and to offer Him praise for His eternal love. Why not do so with this little hymn?

Osbeck, K. W.

• O GOD, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is. to see thy power and thy glory, so as I have seen thee in the sanctuary. Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: Psalm 63:1-5
• Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Psalm 103:2
• O GIVE thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the Lord of lords: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him who alone doeth great wonders: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that stretcheth out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever: The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that made great lights: for his mercy endureth for ever. The sun to rule by day: for his mercy endureth for ever. The moon and stars to rule by night: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him that smote Egypt in their firstborn: for his mercy endureth for ever. And brought out Israel from among them: for his mercy endureth for ever. With a strong hand, and with a stretched out arm: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which divided the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. And made Israel to pass through the midst of it: for his mercy endureth for ever. But overthrew Pharoah and his host in the Red sea: for his mercy endureth for ever. To him which smote great kings: for his mercy endureth for ever. And slew famous kings: for his mercy endureth for ever. Sihon king of the Amorites: for his mercy endureth for ever: And Og the king of Bashan: for his mercy endureth for ever. And gave their land for an heritage: for his mercy endureth for ever. Even an heritage unto Israel his servant: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who remembered us in our low estate: for his mercy endureth for ever. And hath redeemed us from our enemies: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever. O give thanks unto the God of heaven: for his mercy endureth for ever. Psalm 136
• The LORD is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works. Psalm 145:9
• Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17